She was asked why Houston has not developed its bayous as a draw for tourists and responded, according to KABB:

“As I travel I am often asked by people why we don’t turn Buffalo Bayou Park into a River Walk. The answer is that the River Walk is a cement ditch … there’s no nice way to put it.”

Parker, who made the comment Oct. 3 during a news conference about the American Planning Association naming Buffalo Bayou one of the nation’s Top 10 public places, went on to say:

“Buffalo Bayou is a living, active water course, and it has to be kept in as natural state as it can be for flood control purposes to allow the fish, the birds, the turtles, the critters that live in there to get what they need from the bayou as well as the recreational opportunities for Houstonians.”

She added that the Harris County Flood Control District is reshaping some of the bayou, “putting some of the natural bends and curves back into it,” to help it hold water during rainstorms and to improve water clarity.

“We still think there will be opportunities for things like a café to stop and get a cup of coffee and enjoy some time along the bayou with your family as well as active rental opportunities that will be coming.”

Her mayoral colleague, San Antonio’s Julián Castro, said Houston covets what it doesn’t have.

“Seems like Houstonians have a little river envy,” Castro said. “Mayor Parker is a good mayor, we have a good relationship but it was clear from her comments that Houstonians are more than a little jealous of the River Walk.”

Separately, San Antonio leaders are trying to develop more of the San Antonio River to draw even more visitors.

The Express-News reports that city leaders recently spotted a snowy egret during development of the spot where the river meets Mitchell Street. River improvement in the area is being paid for by a tax levied on visitors to the River Walk and other parts of San Antonio.